Italian cities are showing increased attention to bicycles and motorbikes, but cars continue to dominate urban mobility.
The ninth Focus2R Observatory Report, presented in Milan on 20 January, highlights local policies for two-wheeled transport. Promoted by ANCMA and Legambiente, the report analyses data from 107 provincial capitals.
Despite efforts to promote sustainable mobility, cars account for 64.7% of urban trips, a 2% increase from pre-Covid levels. Walking, cycling, micromobility, and public transport collectively make up just 31.1% of trips, showing the dominance of private vehicles.
Bicycles as form of urban transport
Cycling paths in Italy’s provincial capitals averaged 11.02 metres per 100 residents in 2023, a 53.7% increase since 2015. Reggio Emilia leads with over 48 metres per 100 residents, followed by Cosenza, Lodi, Cremona, and Cesena. However, cities like Vibo Valentia, L’Aquila, and Naples lag behind with minimal cycling infrastructure.
Municipalities are making progress in bicycle transport policies. In 63.3% of cities, bicycles are now allowed on public transport, up from 57% previously, though 30.6% restrict this to folding bikes. Bicycle parking remains scarce; 51% of cities offer only 1–15 spaces per 1,000 residents.
Shared cycling services are gaining traction, with a 16.3% rise in 2023. Milan leads with a fleet of nearly 15,000 bicycles and 5 million withdrawals annually. Florence, Bologna, and Rome also report significant use. However, only 25% of municipalities prioritise bicycle theft prevention, and fewer are addressing last-mile logistics with cargo bikes.
Electric Scooters on the rise
Electric scooter sharing services operate in 44.2% of surveyed cities, mainly in large urban areas. Rome tops the list with 13,500 scooters and over 7 million annual trips, followed by Milan and Turin. However, the number of cities offering these services dropped from 13 to 11 in 2023.
Motorcycles gaining in popularity
Motorcycle use is rising, with 14.53 motorcycles per 100 residents, compared to 12.5 in 2017. Cities like Imperia and Livorno have the highest motorcycle densities. Florence leads in motorcycle parking availability, with 96 spaces per 1,000 residents. Despite this, only 6% of municipalities prioritise motorcycle safety in urban planning. Protective guardrails remain rare, with little change from previous years.
The (cycle) path ahead
To promote ecological mobility, Italy must implement policies that prioritise people over cars. President Mattarella said last year, that not enough was being done to combat climate change. Enhancing two-wheel safety, expanding infrastructure, and reducing car reliance are key to achieving a sustainable urban future.
